Improved gold-digging apparatus



parte (time duttd guaina Letters .Patent No. 94,669, dated September 7, 1869.

IMPRQVED GOLD-DIG-G-ING APPARATUS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DENrsoN TIsDALn, of Dos Moines, in the county of Polk, and in the State of Iowa, Vhave invented certain new and useful Improve ments Vin Gold-Diggers; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference -marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The nature ot' luy-invention cousists'in the construction ot' a machine for digging gold, which is provided with two or more valves, so constructed that they will allow the dirt, &c., to passunto the frame While boring, but Which close as soon as that operation is iinished, and inthe arrangement of the devices hereafter set forth and described.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my digger.

Figure 2 is a side elevation o f the same.

`Figure 3 is a plan view of the brace or support.

Ifigure 4 is an inverted View of my digger.

Letter A represents the case or frame, which-is of a circular form', and-constructed of any` suitable metal. Around the lower part of the frame, on the outside, is placed the curb B, which consists ota strip ot' steel, or iron, extending any desired distance up the side, so as to strengthen and protect it.

Inside ofthe case, around the bottom, there is placed the metal hoop O, which supports and braces the frame, so Athat the curb can be secured the more firmly. Unless desired, it is unnecessary that this hoop should extend all the way around, as a ilange on the side of the doors, as far as they extend, will answer .the same purpose.

Extending across the bottom of the frame, there are four arms, two of which are curved, and have the knives I) attached to them, while the other two are perfectly straight, and have the valves, or trap-doors E pivoted to them, by means of the rods F.

The cutters, or knives, are of a curved shape, and are placed in a slanting position, so as to cause them to take hold ofthe 4earth as the frame is turned around.

Placed just above the knives are the valves E, which open upward, so as to allow the dirt to pass into the frame, but as soon as the frame is raised, they at puce close, so as to prevent anything from'falling out.

The arms to which the knives are secured extend upward, inside of the frame, above the bed-plates G, and are bevelled downward to the cutters, so that the earth, &c., slips easily over them, into the reservoirs or pockets formed for it.

Upon the tops of the arms to which the valves are secured, there are placed the riftles H, which consist of tlat metal plates, extending back over the bedplates, and which serve to hold the dirt, &c., in the pockets. These, however, can readily be dispensed with, if desired.

The arms to which the valves are secured form the heel of the frame, and are raised, inside of the trame, so that their bottoms are. on a level with the tops ot' the cutter-arms.

Across the top of the frame is placed the support K, which serves as a brace for it, and as a guide for the shaft L, by which the machine is lowered and raised.

The lower 4end of the shaft is secured in the centre of the four arms, extends upward through tlie support, and-has a screw-thread eut upon its surface, on which is placed the nut M.

Between the supportl and the nut, there is placed the movable collar N, which is provided with the rings O, to which ropes or chains are fastened, so as to elevate the frame from the hole.

' In case the digger should belet down into a stream, Where the current is swift, head-lines are secured to these rings, so as to prevent it from following the current.

The shaft is compose of sections, when of any length, which may be either square or round, with a movableusocket, burr, or wheel, through which the shaft passes.

The frame may be operated either by hand or by machinery. When by hand, to be operated by an arm or lever, (as shown in the accompanyingdrawings,) at.- tached or fastened' into sockets, burr, or wheel, which are loose upon the shaft when in use, or made fast by screw, spring, or otherdevice.

Then the shaft is round, a wrist-band, slide, screw, or other device, shall be used on the shaft to prevent thesocket, burr, or wheel from` turning on the shaft when in use.

A thin plate runs over from the cutter-arm of the frame to the heel, so as to cover the pockets or reservoirs, made by bed-plates, cutters, and heels, when used in dry dirt.

This machine is especially intended for diggingin the bottoms of rivers and lakes, but it can also he used equally well for sinking wells or digging in the dry earth. i

Having thus described my invention,

XVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The arrangement, with the cylindrical frame A, of the valves E, and two or more reservoirs, as described, riiles H, cutters D C, and curb B, all operated by the shaft F, with its collar N, and rings O, substantially as specified. I

In testimony that I claim theforcgoin g, I have hereunto set my hand, this 10th day of J une, 1869.

p DENISON TISDALE.

Vitnesses:

' STEPHEN J. LOUGHRAN,

DAvlD HILnls, J AMES OLDHAM. 

